Political campaigns have spent at least $1.5 million so far trying to influence the outcome of this year’s governor’s race between incumbent Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper and Republican Bob Beauprez, according to research released Wednesday.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez, who suffered a big defeat in the 2006 gubernatorial contest, will get a second act in Colorado politics as the Republicans’ choice to try to defeat incumbent Democratic Gov. John Hicknlooper in November.

Colorado Republicans are voting Tuesday to select a candidate to challenge Gov. John Hickenlooper in November, hopeful their primary nominee can buck Democratic momentum and the perception that the state has quickly turned liberal.